For years I was a Windows/PC person, starting with the DOS prompt. In the early 2000s I went over to Mac and haven't regretted it at all. I'm on my third MacBook Pro and it's the best computer I've ever had. Although I have a 21-inch iMac in my office, it mostly sits there. My MacBook is 13" and that's all I need. If I never took it anywhere, 15" might be nice, but 13" is easy for travel. My current one has a 500-gig hard drive and it's a little over half full. I don't download a lot of videos or movies, which are what eat up space. If I wanted to, I could probably clear out a lot of files I don't need. This MacBook is four years old and I really don't need a new one just now.

Have you considered an ipad with a smart keyboard?

For many years I did a macbook pro with an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse for when I was home, but with the way apple has diddled with the ports on the new machines and their lack of upgradability, when I got a new computer in December I sighed heavily and opted for an imac, because that's definitely where the value point in macs is now. It would have cost me enough to buy the mid-grade 21" imac and a low-end macbook to get to where I was.

But a person I work for gave me the big ipad and really, if i didn't need any particular desktop programs, that would be fine. I'd actually prefer the 10.5 or 11" one to the 12.9".. And you can get a stand for it when you want the screen to be farther away.

I have always been a Mac person forever. Every recent Mac I've had has had keyboard issues :( Keys fall off or stop working SO fast. I was a 15 inch devotee but one of the companies I write for bought me the 13 inch and I like it much better. It's much more compact and easy to use. I bought a 15 inch before the 13 inch ones that had that stupid Touch Bar and I have never in my life had a worse computer. It was painful to type on. My fingers kept hitting the Touch Bar and causing the computer to do things I didn't want. I hated that thing w/ a passion and sold it at a loss.

I still would never use anything but a Mac. But just be aware of the potential for keyboard problems. Many of my co-workers say the same, keys not working right or falling off. I think there's even a class action lawsuit https://www.newsweek.com/apple-will-fix-faulty-macbook-keyboards-fueled-lawsuits-free-993617

I would especially not fall for the touch bar thing. That's a very good point. There don't seem to be as many problems with the 13" macbook pros as with the 15" ones, and the touch bar is just lame, even without trouble.

I had a USB Mac keyboard with a wonky F that kept popping off. But of all the Macs I've had, laptop and desktop, it's the only keyboard issue I've ever encountered. I've never had a laptop with the Touch Bar, but it did take me a while to make peace with the Touch Pad. I now use it for most navigation and clicking, although I still use a mouse when I need more precision.

I made the switch a few years ago, in an almost an identical transition as yours -I wanted a laptop rather than a desktop unit. While I was at Best Buy deciding on which laptop to buy, I noticed the Apple display. My son, an avid Mac supporter, was with me and noted the signage that indicated you could bring it back if you didn't like it. He convinced me that this was a great opportunity to to give it a try, since he'd been trying to talk me into it. I have to say, there has been no looking back. It reminds me of a well-loved kitchen utensil or gadget. Sometimes you aren't completely certain why you love it, except that it does exactly what it is supposed to do all the time, with minimal fuss. Right now I have a 13-inch MacBook air with 8GB of memory, and it seems completely sufficient to me. I primarily use it for writing, maintaining spreadsheets (I use Google Docs and Google Sheets), internet surfing, email, etc. I don't think disk storage is much of an issue for people anymore with the advent of cloud storage, but you may feel differently. I think one of the important points of decisions is size -of the screen and the keyboard, as well as the weight and dimensions of the unit, etc. One of those may be more important to you than others. I find the 11-inch units too small for my use, but anything bigger than a 13-inch is more cumbersome than I like because I take mine with me much of the time.

One note: I did discover, too late, that purchasing an Apple product at Best Buy did not give me access to the Genius Bar at the Apple store, like I would have had with purchasing it there at the store. Seemed like such an odd policy to me since BB is an authorized reseller and the price was identical. So when I purchased my second MacBook, I bought it from the store.

I did discover, too late, that purchasing an Apple product at Best Buy did not give me access to the Genius Bar at the Apple store, like I would have had with purchasing it there at the store

Who told you this? I have purchased multiple Macs from various places, mostly not the Apple store, and as long as it was under warranty, I was always able to make appointments at the Genius Bar when I had issues ?

I went to the Apple Store, shortly after purchasing it, intending to make an appt. with the Genius Bar to learn about some of the features on the MacBook. They explained to me that since I had purchased it at BB, I didn't get that coverage. This policy may have changed. It was probably 8-10 years ago.

I upgraded to a MacBook Pro, 15" screen a couple of months ago. I'm very happy with it. Not sure if you work, but it Apple does give company discounts if they have an account. All you have to do is ask. I think I saved about 6%.

Jo

On my second MacBook Pro 15", 16 GB memory. Touch bar was available when I bought the last Mac, but I didn't want it. I'm also not a touchpad user. Prefer a mouse. Never had a keyboard issue.

Great insights - thank-you! DH got a pro (not sure if 13 or 15) with the touch bar - not for the touch bar but because it had the fastest processor and some other tech spec advantages. The first one he got was a complete lemon - major problems. He had to send it in at least three times before they finally replaced it. So much for technical advantages. I think he does use the touch bar somewhat. In any case it's good to know that maybe the touch bar models had more problems as he had more trouble with that very expensive laptop than I've ever had with any of mine. Based on above feedback I'm inclined to get a 13". Maybe some day I would replace my desktop all in one with an imac. I like the number key pad at times and I'd have to add yet another plug in accessory to have that with a laptop.

Just perused the Apple website a bit more. I think I would get a MacBook Air 13" 256 GB drive, 16 GB memory. I'll sleep on it this weekend.

My 9 yr old grandson keeps telling me there is a new Mac laptop that has the capability of having a touchscreen. He says you use it normally, but if you bend the screen back somehow it enables touch-screen. I haven't researched it and I have no idea where he got his info - he's not yet old enough to work at the genius bar, lol.

I started using Microsoft computers at work, where they dragged me kicking and screaming into the modern age. Pretty soon, I was the go-to person for how to use the software, or work arounds or whatever people needed to do. When I retired, I decided to switch to a Mac, mostly because of the virus protections and people's glowing reports of use. I might be the only person who really hates using Apple products. All the hype about "intuitive" use is a mystery to me. It is NOT intuitive to me, where the Microsoft products were. Not sure what that says about me. I bought an ipad for my grandson to use and I've tried it, but I cannot figure out how to do ANYTHING on it. I never touch it.

I spend half my life googling how to do things on a Mac or my iphone and seldom find answers. Their telephone help desk is very helpful, however, if you have the time to commit to it.

Another Mac plus ... they offer superb customer service via phone. I had a problem a few months ago with an update and the Apple rep spent almost 2 hours on the phone with me. Compare that to the hell dh goes through every time he has to contact Dell. I keep telling him to make the switch.

After losing all of my computers in the flood I decided I didn't want any more desktop Microsoft computers I was just not into like I had been. I went with a chromebook and have been very happy with it. I am able to do everything I need to do. If I bought a new one now I would probably get one of the fold able ones with touchscreen to use as tablet or laptop. I basically use my tablet and phone daily and the chromebook when I need to do more. I was definitely pleased with the price! Since I switched, my sister did too and several of the ladies in my garden club. I have been their computer person for years. They are very pleased with the chromebooks.

I just can't afford Apple products. I am not opposed to them and would like to try an iPad but not in my limited budget these days.

We have two Macbook Air's, an older 11" and a newer 12". Size-wise, we've been very happy with the smaller ones. Great for travel, taking downstairs to the treadmill where I can quickly pass the time watching videos, and placing on the nightstand for morning reading. DS and DIL tried to sway me against the smaller sized Air but now they want to replace their larger Mac laptops with smaller ones.

Oh, the print on several keys on the 11" did become blurred and Apple told me they couldn't be replaced. We have an Apple repair store which replaced them at no charge using keys from discarded keyboards...just like new!

I was in the same place as you a couple of years ago, about to retire and needed a new laptop. At work it was strictly a Dell/Microsoft environment (desktop and a laptop issued which I had to turn in), and I was using an iPad and iPhone at home. I had an old Dell laptop but it badly needed to be replaced so I decided to go with a 13” MacBook air. I can’t remember for sure but because I do a lot of photos, I may have upgraded to the larger storage. I too wanted a wireless mouse but am ok with the touchpad to a point.

I also purchase the Office suite for Apple because I saw a need for using Word and Excel and perhaps some PowerPoint in my volunteer work. I also purchased a compatible external storage device, which I highly recommend. I could never get my MacBook to work properly with the current storage device DH and I I were using. I love it.

DH was happy to hear I’m seriously considering a MacBook. His is a 13” which is a good size for my needs. If I can get him off of it at all I’m going to try it a bit. He is very attached to the thing though so not sure if that will be possible.

I had a 6 year old Mac Airbook that I loved. However, I spilt some tea and the right shift key stopped working. I loved that computer so much that I kept using it with only a left shift key for over a year. Then the touch pad became wonky and it was getting really slow. Long story short, in January I was just "looking" at Best Buy and went home with a brand new Mac Book Pro. They had zero financing and a long try at home period. Now I don't know why I suffered so long with a malfunctioning Mac Air.

To answer your original question I had always been a PC user and for somethings I do prefer a PC. If you are doing any picture editing, or art designing go with the Mac Book. My friend has a 15 inch MacBook and uses it for Photoshop but finds it too heavy to take on photo travel. He may buy a smaller 13 inch just so he can carry it on trips without breaking his back.

3katz, I purchased the MacAir you are considering in late November. I have no regrets! I went from a MacBook Pro to MacAir. It is quick, light as a feather, and the perfect size.

Is anyone bothered by having only 2 USB-C ports? The only way to get two on each side seems to be to get the Pro model with the touchbar. One for power, one for monitor, none for anything else without a dongle. I'm skeptical of running all other devices through a dongle, not to mention having to carry one around with me. If I weren't replacing a full function desktop with the laptop I might not be as concerned. Since DH has the touchbar he has four ports and thinks that's a big plus over his prior MacBook which didn't.

I was fortunate that the previous year's model was still available when I got my new MacBook Pro in 2017 otherwise I would have been stuck with the one with the Touch Bar.